2008 - 2009 Baseball Hot stove report

[Striperjim]

My top 50


1. C.C. Sabathia
2. Mark Teixeira
3. Manny Ramirez
4. Francisco Rodriguez
5. A.J. Burnett
6. Derek Lowe
7. Orlando Hudson
8. Adam Dunn
9. Brian Fuentes
10. Oliver Perez
11. Ben Sheets
12. Raul Ibanez
13. Orlando Cabrera
14. Kenshin Kawakami
15. Kerry Wood
16. Rafael Furcal
17. Casey Blake
18. Mike Mussina
19. Pat Burrell
20. Bobby Abreu
21. Jason Giambi
22. Andy Pettitte
23. Milton Bradley
24. Freddy Garcia
25. Jamie Moyer
26. Randy Johnson
27. Mark Grudzielanek
28. Randy Wolf
29. Ray Durham
30. John Smoltz
31. Ivan Rodriguez
32. Edgar Renteria
33. Juan Rivera
34. Trevor Hoffman
35. Brad Penny
36. Jon Garland
37. Paul Byrd
38. Braden Looper
39. Joe Beimel
40. Joe Crede
41. Koji Uehara
42. Nick Punto
43. Damaso Marte
44. Jason Isringhausen
45. Mark Kotsay
46. Jason Varitek
47. Doug Brocail
48. Rocco Baldelli
49. Felipe Lopez
50. Jim Edmonds

[Striperjim]

Its that time of year folks for free agent signings and trades.
Trades are far more likely than signings during this Thanksgiving weekend.
The past few years Mets Gm Omar Minaya and Redsox Gm Theo Epstein struck.

The arbitration offers to free agents advanced paperwork deadline is this Monday and the deadline to tender contracts falls on Dec. 12 2008
Last year the Angels GM Tony Reagins signed Torii Hunter during Thanksgiving weekend.

In 2003, in a day after Thanksgiving move, Epstein landed Curt Schilling from Arizona in exchange for Casey Fossum and reliever Brandon Lyon. Two years later, on Thanksgiving Day, He engineered the deal that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston and sent Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez to the Marlins.
On the same day Omar Minaya acquired Carlos Delgado for Mike Jacobs and two others.
In 2004, Minaya spent Thanksgiving in the Dominican republic acquiring Pedro Martinez
On the day after Thanksgiving in 2005, the Phillies, having unveiled a young slugger named Ryan Howard a couple of months earlier, dealt first baseman Jim Thome to the White Sox for outfielder Aaron Rowand.
And in 2006, the Astros signed free agents Carlos Lee and Woody Williams on Thanksgiving friday.

The Mets' Omar Minaya was quoted the other day in the New York Daily News, "In this business, Thanksgiving is still a workday."

Rumors By Team

A's Rumors Angels Rumors Astros Rumors Blue Jays Rumors Braves Rumors Brewers Rumors Cardinals Rumors Cubs Rumors Diamondbacks Rumors Dodgers Rumors Giants Rumors Indians Rumors Mariners Rumors Marlins Rumors Mets Rumors Nationals Rumors Orioles Rumors Padres Rumors Phillies Rumors Pirates Rumors Rangers Rumors Rays Rumors Red Sox Rumors Reds Rumors Rockies Rumors Royals Rumors Tigers Rumors Twins Rumors White Sox Rumors Yankees Rumors

[Striperjim]

Eligible after 2008 season by position Age in parenthesis

Catchers
Brad Ausmus (40)
Paul Bako (37)
Josh Bard (31)
Michael Barrett (32)
Gary Bennett (37)
Henry Blanco (37)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Sal Fasano (37)
Toby Hall (33)
Paul Lo Duca (37)
Adam Melhuse (37)
Chad Moeller (34)
Ivan Rodriguez (37)
David Ross (32)
Javier Valentin (33)
Jason Varitek (37)
Vance Wilson (36)
Gregg Zaun (38)

First basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Miguel Cairo (35)
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38)
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Sweeney (39)
Mark Teixeira (29)
Daryle Ward (34)

Second basemen
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Craig Counsell (38)
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
David Eckstein (34)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Orlando Hudson (31) - Type A
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Ramon Martinez (36)
Pablo Ozuna (34)
Nick Punto (31)
Luis Rivas (29)

Shortstops
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Orlando Cabrera (34)
Alex Cintron (30)
Alex Cora (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
David Eckstein (34)
Adam Everett (32)
Rafael Furcal (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Chris Gomez (38)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Tomohiro Nioka (33)
Nick Punto (31)
Edgar Renteria (33)
Luis Rivas (29)
Juan Uribe (30)
Ramon Vazquez (32)
Omar Vizquel (42)

Third basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Casey Blake (35)
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Aaron Boone (36)
Russell Branyan (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
Joe Crede (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Mike Lamb (33)
Mark Loretta (37)
Ramon Martinez (36)
Pablo Ozuna (34)
Juan Uribe (30)
Ramon Vazquez (32)

Left fielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37)
Milton Bradley (31)
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36)
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Raul Ibanez (37)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33)
Craig Monroe (32)
Greg Norton (36)
Jay Payton (36)
Manny Ramirez (37) A
Juan Rivera (30)
So Taguchi (39)

Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)
Scott Podsednik (33)
So Taguchi (39)

Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35)
Casey Blake (35)
Emil Brown (34)
Cliff Floyd (36)
Ken Griffey Jr. (39)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Jason Michaels (33)
Trot Nixon (35)
Brad Wilkerson (32)

DHs
Milton Bradley (31)
Cliff Floyd (36)
Jason Giambi (38)
Mike Sweeney (35)
Frank Thomas (41)
Jose Vidro (34)

Starting pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt, RP (29) Signed 2 years 8 million S.F. Giants
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32)
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (36)
Ryan Dempster (31) Signed 4 years 52 million Chi. Cubs
Shawn Estes (36)
Josh Fogg (32)
Freddy Garcia (33)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
Kenshin Kawakami (34)
Jon Lieber (39)
Braden Looper (34)
Rodrigo Lopez (33)
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31)
John Parrish (31)
Carl Pavano (33)
Brad Penny (31)
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
Glendon Rusch (34)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42)
Koji Uehara (34)
Kip Wells (32)
Randy Wolf (32)

Closers

Chad Cordero (27)
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33) -
Eddie Guardado (38)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)
Kerry Wood (32)

Middle relievers
Luis Ayala (31)
Joe Beimel (32)
Joe Borowski (38)
Doug Brocail (42)
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (30)
Elmer Dessens (37)
Brendan Donnelly (37)
Scott Elarton (33)
Alan Embree (39)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Casey Fossum (31)
Keith Foulke (35)
Chad Fox (38)
Tom Gordon (41)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Matt Herges (39)
Bob Howry (35)
Jorge Julio (30)
Jon Lieber (39)
Mike Lincoln (34)
Jason Johnson (35)
Trever Miller (36)
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Chan Ho Park (36)
Horacio Ramirez (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Arthur Rhodes (39)
Juan Rincon (30)
Ricardo Rincon (39)
Glendon Rusch (34)
Rudy Seanez (40)
Brian Shouse (40)
Russ Springer (40)
Ken Takahashi (41)
Julian Tavarez (36)
Mike Timlin (43)
Ron Villone (39)
David Weathers (39)
Kip Wells (32)
Matt Wise (33)
Jamey Wright (34)

[Striperjim]

Nothing over the weekend??

December 1st
Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa agreed to a three-year contract with the Boston Red Sox after rejecting offers from three other major league teams, The Boston Globe reported.
Junichi Tazawa decided to play in Major League Baseball rather than make himself available for Japan's pro teams.
The newspaper, citing a source, reported that Tazawa will arrive in Boston this week to take a physical after agreeing to a three-year deal worth about $3 million.

Mets offer arbitration to LHP - Oliver Perez
Fuentes schedules visit with Mets


Calender
DEC. 1 Last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents.
DEC. 7 Last day for free agents offered salary arbitration to accept the offers.
DEC. 8 Hall of Fame veterans committee voting announced.
DEC. 8-11 Winter meetings, Las Vegas.

[Striperjim]

• Matt Holiday was traded In November from Colorado to the A's for Huston Street, Greg Smith and Carlos Gonzalez

• Cubs acquire reliever Kevin Gregg from the Florida Marlins.

• Mets sign Frankie Rodriguez and are talking to the Rangers about Michael Young for second base.
They also are looking to trade Aarron Heilman and a prospect to Colorado for Houston Street. But Omar pulled the prospect from the deal and wants a straight up trade.

• Yankees sign CC Sabathia and want Manny - badly it seems.

• Kerry Wood appears to be headed to either Cleveland or Texas, likely for two years and $12 million-$14 million.

• Brian Fuentes' options include the Angels and Cardinals.

• The Mariners need a power hitter. The Brewers need a closer. There is speculation that the two teams are discussing a package involving J.J. Putz and Prince Fielder.

• There are reports from the Chicago press that they are closing in on a deal with Jake peavy

• The Red sox are talking with the White sox and the Mets about catchers.

• Despite his status as the top position player on the free agent market, it’s believed Teixeira has yet to receive an offer from a contending team. If Teixeira has any offers at all, they would be from the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles.
The Angels have also expressed interest.
The Red sox want Texiera to play first base but dont want to make the first big offer to Boras.

• The Cleveland Indians are closing in on a two-year deal with free-agent closer Kerry Wood that is believed to be worth close to $20 million, SI.com has confirmed.
Wood has pitched his entire 11-year career with the Chicago Cubs but the Cubs said they would not re-sign Wood this offseason after they made a trade last month to acquire reliever Kevin Gregg from the Florida Marlins.

[Striperjim]

Trades.

Mets acquire J.J. Putz from the Mariners in a three team trade.
The Mets also received outfielder Jeremy Reed and right-hander Sean Green from Seattle. The Mariners received outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians and, from the Mets, right-hander Aaron Heilman, center fielder Endy Chavez and four Minor Leaguers -- first baseman Mike Carp, right-hander Maikel Cleto, left-hander Jason Vargas and center fielder Ezekiel Carrera. The Indians received right-hander Joe Smith from the Mets and infielder Luis Valbuena from the Mariners.


Great trade for the Mets; they receive a front line setup guy for a quantity of average ballplayers. Not a blue chip prospect in the mix.
A change of scenery might help Heilman to acquire some sort of consistent form. Perhaps Seattle will turn him into a starter, something that the mets for whatever reason refused to do with him. On occasion Heilman showed flashes of brilliance with electric stuff and on others was flat with no movement on his fastball at all.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
YANKEES
Sign RHP A.J. Burnett. to a 5 year contract at 85 million.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PHILLIES
Sign Raul Ibanez three-year deal at roughly $10 million per

[Striperjim]

Mets trade reliever Scott Schoeneweis to the Arizona Diamondbacks for RHP Connor Robertson.
A report surfaced in October 2007 that Schoenweis received steroids shipments while pitching for the White Sox in 2003 and 2004.
In dealing the unpopular lefty to Arizona for righthander Connor Robertson, the Mets expunged the last bullpen scapegoat from the collapses of the past two seasons. Schoeneweis took the loss in the Shea Stadium finale Sept. 28, giving up an eighth-inning homer to Wes Helms as the Mets suffered their second straight collapse out of the playoffs.

The Mets gave Arizona $1.6 million to help pay Schoeneweis' $3.6-million salary.

Robertson, 27, was 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA in nine games with Arizona this past season. The 6-2, 220-pounder went 7-4 with a 5.02 ERA in 47 contests with Triple-A Tucson, striking out 72 and walking 30 in 71 2/3 innings.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kerry Wood signed a two-year $20 Million contract with the Cleveland Indians that has a vesting club option for a third year.

[Striperjim]

Heres a list of Players Non Tendered tha were not given contracts by todays deadline and will become free agents.

• Aquilino Lopez - Detroit Tigers
• Joey Gathright, John Bale - K.C. Royals
• Jamie Burke - Seattle Mariners
• Joe Nelson - Florida Marlins
• Aaron Miles, Randy Flores, Tyler Johnson - St. Louis Cardinals
• Norris Hopper, Gary Majewski, Matt Belisle - Cincinatti Reds
• Doug Mathis - Texas Rangers
• Daniel Cabrera, Lance Cormier- Baltimore Orioles
• Denny Bautista - Pittsburgh Pirates
• Ty Wigginton, Reggie Abercrombie - Houston Astros
• Jonny Gomes - Tampa Bay Rays
• Willy Taveras - Colorado Rockies
• Takashi Saito, Scott Proctor, Yhency Brazoban, Angel Berroa - Los Angeles Dodgers
• Clay Hensley and Charlie Haeger - San Diego Padres
• Chris Britton and Justin Christian - New York Yankees
• Tim Redding - Washington Nationals
• Chris Capuano - Milwaukee Brewers
• Kevin Cash - Boston Red Sox
• Chuck James- Atlanta Braves
• Chris Burke, Robby Hammock, Wil Ledezma, Jeff Salazar - Arizona Diamondbacks

[oldgoat]

Well my wife just whacked me for thinking about letting you in on the new hot player coming up the ranks. Seems this kid held twelve buddies together to make it to the playoffs.O ya before i forget they only had twenty five kids to pick from inside a compound and these guys took on countries with unlimited kids to pick from. they lost the last three games but held them off for four out of the six little league innings.Probably as close as i get to big time BUT WHOKNOWS

[Striperjim]

Big news albeit late news. Yankees pull off Teixiera shocker.

It is believed to be an eight-year, $180 million agreement.
While signing Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett this month, the Yankees have committed $423.5 million in salary

The Yankees made another addition to their roster on the day before Christmas that didn't have quite the impact of Tuesday's contractual agreement reached with Mark Teixeira.
According to the Associated Press, catcher Kevin Cash agreed to a Minor League deal with the Yankees on Wednesday.


Needing just five victories to reach the magical 300-win plateau, Bay Area native and five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Giants Friday





The Reds inked center fielder Willy Taveras to a two-year deal Saturday


The Reds signed left-handed reliever Aaron Fultz to a Minor League contract last weekend.


The Brewers signed outfielder Chris Duffy to a Minor League contract on Thursday December 18 th.


The Brewers inked outfielder Trot Nixon to a Minor League contract Thursday December 18 th.


After nearing a deal with the Braves, Rafael Furcal agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Dodgers on Wednesday December 17th.


Infielder Aaron Boone signed a one-year deal with the Astros on Thursday
December 18 th.

The Roger Clemens Institute for Sports Medicine in Houston will be changing its name this week.
The Memorial Hermann Hospital Health Care System has chosen to drop the controversial pitcher's name from its sports medicine wing, ESPN.com reported on Saturday.

[Striperjim]

The Boston Herald is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms on a one year deal with RHP Brad Penny. The deal is rumored to be for a $5 million base salary with a $3 million bonus if he pitches at least 160 innings with the club in 2009. Penny suffered through an injury-marred 2008 with the Dodgers, finishing 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in just seventeen starts.

[Striperjim]

MLB Network went live January 1, 2009
Great news for the die hard baseball fan.
To check availability in your are emter zip code
http://mlb.mlb.com/network/

[Striperjim]

Smoltz is on the verge of a deal with the Red Sox

Brian Fuentes signed a two-year deal with the Angels. It's a two-year, $17.5MM deal. $8.5MM in '09, $9MM in '10, and a $9MM vesting option for '11 based on 55 games finished. Fuentes, 33, was excellent in 2008. He posted a 2.73 ERA and 11.78 K/9.
The Rockies will receive the Angels' #33 pick in the June draft, as well as a supplemental pick.


Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox are close to signing Rocco Baldelli with an announcement expected Thursday night.

Jason Giambi Reaches Agreement With A's the deal is for one-year at $4.5MM with a $5MM club option ($1MM buyout) for 2010. The physical is scheduled for tomorrow.

Mark DeRosa was traded to the Tribe for three minor league pitchers in a 20 million salary dump

Blue Jays signed lefty Mike Maroth to a minor league deal. Maroth, 31, had shoulder surgery in June of 2008. He made 100 starts for the Tigers from 2003-05, but then the injuries began.

Blue Jays signed Matt Clement to a minor league deal. Clement hasn't pitched in the Majors since 2006. He had rotator cuff surgery in September of that year

Kevin Mench will be playing for the Hanshin Tigers in 2009. The deal is for one year and is worth $1.8MM

Orioles reach a deal with Koji Uehara. It's a two-year deal worth $10MM guaranteed, with another $6MM in incentives and bonuses


The Rockies aquired the services of free agent RH Jason Marquis
The Cubs dealt Jason Marquis to the Rockies on Tuesday for reliever Luis Vizcaino.
Marquis (11-9, 4.53 ERA) is scheduled to make $9.875MM in 2009, the final year of the three-year contract he signed with the Cubs in December 2006. The Cubs are expected to pay $1MM of Marquis' '09 salary; Vizcaino will make $4MM this year.

The Indians signed Carl Pavano to a one-year deal. He gets $1.5MM guaranteed plus another $5.3MM in possible incentives

The Cubs signed Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30MM contract

Pat Burrell has agreed in principle to a two-year $16MM deal with the Rays pending a physical.

[ckphelps]

My take, Yankees wasted 1/2 a billion dollars, Red Sox queitly making some good deals.

This October Mets Red Sox.The Yankees will have the most expensive third place team in baseball.

[Striperjim]

Who's In

NL East


Mets ---- RP Francisco Rodriguez, - RP JJ Putz, OF Jeremy Reed, SP Tim Redding

Atlanta Braves --- SP Javier Vazquez, C David Ross, 1b Casey Kotchman

Florida Marlins --- RP Scott Proctor, 2B Emilio Bonifacio

Philadelhia Phillies --- SP Chan Ho Park, C Ronny Paulino, OF Raul Ibanez

Washington Nationals --- SP Daniel Cabrera, SP 19 Scott Olsen, OF Josh Willingham

____________________________________________________

AL East

Red Sox ---- RP Takashi Saito, C Josh Bard, RP Ramon Ramirez, SP John Smoltz, OF Rocco Baldelli, SP Brad Penny

NYY --- SP CC Sabathia, SP AJ Burnett, 1B Mark Teixera, OF Nick swisher

Toronto Blue Jays --- C Rod Barajas SP Matt Clement


Baltimore Orioles --- SP Mark Hendrickson, OF Ryan Freel, SS Cesar Izturis

Tampa Bay --- LF Matt Joyce, RP Joe Nelson RP Chad Bradford, OF Pat Burrell, OF Gabe Kapler